I don’t think we – PoC regulars – like this, do we? I hate to go on about celebrity cats etc. — isn’t this another example? At the first opportunity Tara is employed as a celebrity cat. I don’t want to be grumpy cat but might it not be a better idea to let Tara have a nice snooze in her usual place at home?

If you are one of the few who is yet to hear about Tara, this page will help (the page opens in a new window).

I wonder if Tara’s owner’s got paid. You bet! If I am wrong, sorry – but I’d be surprised is some money did not exchange hands bearing in mind the known commercial potential of celebrity cats of which there are quite a number.

I am not alone in my thoughts, however. This is the first comment on YouTube under the video:

Poor cat. Why is she being punished like this? She saved his life! Let the little boy do it. I’m sure Tara would prefer some peace and quiet and maybe some tasty fresh chicken. Not being dragged out to a large crowd like this. Stupid stupid people.

Comments

Tara, Heroine Cat Who Saved Boy Opens Baseball Game — 24 Comments

How very sad that what seemed a very nice family, the father of the boy saying they weren’t going to go after the neighbour for recompense for medical bills etc has now turned into another media circus and the cat who was the hero of the hour is being exploited, it almost makes you wish the cat had been asleep at the time and then the mother would have had to rescue the boy and the cat could have continued the life that cats enjoy, of just living their day to day lives without opening football matches or discount stores!

Money money money? Before the hype started, I posted on the Tara’s page (or YouTube, don’t remember) asking to use the momentum to promote rescue cats and how awesome cats are, and not to forget about Tara’s welfare during the hype. For the family trying to raise money for their child it’s understandable some decisions will overweight others. We should always think and weight what we pay for what we get and is that all worth it.

I may be alone in this, but I’m personally pity for Grumpy cat. Behind her face I see a kitty who just wants to be loved.

My view, it’s just a new type of hysteria/”trends”, that is used as a new marketing platform. Is it good or bad? I always say, think about a cat and their welfare.

Thanks Natalie, I agree. We know that money makes the world go round. I don’t like the increasing commercialisation of the domestic cat as if he/she is a commercial asset to be used. This is a modern phenomenon.

Looks like I gave them too much credit. It seems by the next day after the attack the family had already created a facebook page for Tara. She also has a twitter account apparently. And the video has been removed from news sites because they sold the media rights, which means now less people will see it. Some animal rights group(s) will rip them a new one and I will be right there cheering them on.

Wow, that’s some extreme reactions on here. I agree Tara wants nothing to do with that ballgame and she would have appreciated a sardine a lot more, but this doesn’t take away from her heroic act. Quite the contrary, I think it forces some people who hadn’t heard the story and just think cats are distant and aloof to reconsider. Surely I’m not the only one that sees that possibility.

Fair point. It does publicise Tara’s good deed a bit more so in that way it does promote the domestic cat and improve the cat’s image in the world. I don’t think the reaction is that extreme. It is just that people who love cats want what is best for their cat. All that is happening in this video is exclusively for the benefit of people. Tara has not got a clue what is going on and she’d rather be at home so why not reward her by leaving her at home? That is fair point too.

Agreed. I think what’s happening is none of those people (her owners included) really understand cats. I think they are making a mistake due to ignorance. This is why I thought the reaction was a bit harsh.

I think the video should have been shown but all this other stuff is all about money i am sure. Too bad but the cats actions are what is special. His owners will do what they will since they are getting their 15 minutes of fame that some seem to need but i say just remember that little boy was saved from more mauling and possibly death by that brave special cat.

Yes it was good that the first video was shown, someone must have been filming the boy on his bike I suppose, although some people now are saying it was a set up, I don’t see how it could have been.
But that should have ended it, Tara should have been rewarded with peace, she doesn’t want fame, it’s her people who want that.

Did you see the damage that dog did on that boys leg ? I do not believe it was set up. Maybe Mom was filming her little boy on his bike. I agree. Stay out of the lime light but money talks a lot to some.

It was wonderful press for cats but it’s being spoiled since Tara’s people agreed to take her out into the public view. I saw a comment on facebook now saying the whole rescue of the boy was a set up, well it couldn’t have been could it, but a lot are thinking what we are, is this going to be turned into another ‘celeb cat’ making money?

It has spoiled the whole story of how Tara rescued that little boy, it was such feel good news and good press for cats. But as always now, making money out of it has begun. That cat should be rewarded by being left in peace and not punished by being toted around like in the video 🙁